I know Willie wasn't the only one to use angles in the pocket. Other guys could move around in there, outmaneuver a guy once, twice, more, if a guy was onto him. And Willie wasn't the only one to use feints, throw unorthodox punches so effectively. Others could be hard to find, let alone hit ... but still, c'mon, this guy was an artist. I love how Willie's movement was dependent on the other guy's. How he was so attuned to his guy's intention, knew where he was going before he was there. This guy is a pleasure to watch. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly and Michael Jackson had nothin' on Willie Pep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpKHFZ6ixKs
I hear ya, my man. Where does anybody start? I have a hunch that where it started for Willie was in his personality, some kind of quick instinctive brain. His first thought was not to hit, but to not GET hit, which isn't uncommon for a defensive fighter. But Willie did it while comfortable in the pocket. Maybe no better example of the sweet science, no better example of boxing as an art.
What's incredible about it is this is post prime Pep. Not just past his prime but almost get killed an airplane crash Pep. The guy was amazing and truly an artist. Big Pep fan, I'm eager to discover and try learning more about him. Unfortunately not a lot of footage of him in his prime. Basilio and Dundee both think he's the best P4P fighter. Italians do stick together, don't they :rofl :bbb
Yeah, I'm half Napolitano, so I know of what you speak paisan. The thing that interests me about Pep, about any thinking fighter, is just that: the thinking that went into their game. We know what we see. We see Pep as liquid as running water, as quick as a trigger, but what we don't know, and maybe what Willie wouldn't have cared to ponder, is what was in front of his art.
I think pep is the most over rated fighter in history, never went up in weight, didnt beat alot of hall of famers and won 1 out of 4 against saddler, who i rate as a better fighter. Pep should not be put in the same class as hank or robinson. Other greats around peps weight who i think would of beat him, henry armstrong, pedroza and jofre
Well, I'd venture to say that you'd be outnumbered in this opinion. I've heard a lot of pros cite him as the best boxer they've seen. Forget the record books for a minute, you don't see true beauty in his boxing?
Except he did in fact go up in weight and beat many ranked lightweights. Willie Joyce was actually coming off a win over Henry Armstrong when Pep beat him. Joyce then went onto beat Ike Williams. Pep didn't have too many hall of famers around his era but he made up for that by beating numerous top 10 ranked contenders.
Sicilian? :adminBetter put away the sharp objects! And we both should sign off on a disclaimer that our heritage has in no way influenced our appreciation of Marciano and Pep. Right?
Haha yeah. I've seen a pic of Suzie Q in a thread here too. I'm pretty sure he's Italian too. He also loves Pep and Marciano. Sshhh, keep it on the down low. And of course our heritage has absolutely zero bearing. :deal :think Where do I sign?
You know I saw that picture of Suzie, looks like the map of Italy on his face. It's a compliment, SuzieQ, and as a proud Italian I'm sure you won't take it any other way. Add to that, I think Suzie's a big LaMotta guy, but I have no doubt that opinion is completely unbiased, as well. It's tough being Italian on this forum fellas. Too many great Italian fighters to not take notice, whattya gonna do? Gommadamma somanabeech!